December 19, 2011 11:51 PM CSTDecember 20, 2011 03:07 PM CSTIs Yu Darvish ready for life in MLB? Tell us what you expect from him

Is Yu Darvish ready for life in MLB? Tell us what you expect from him

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In this Jan. 6, 2011 file photo, Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Yu Darvish reacts at a press conference in Sapporo, northern Japan, after a new contract signing that makes him the highest-paid player in Japanese professional baseball. The Texas Rangers have submitted the winning bid for Yu Darvish, earning the right to negotiate a contract with the Japanese pitcher.

The Rangers' ace problem still isn't solved... yet. Though the Rangers secured sole negotiating rights with Yu Darvish on Monday night, the pitching phenom isn't a member of the organization.

The club still has to come to terms with Darvish on a contract sometime in the next 30 days. And even if the two sides agree to a deal, what can the Rangers realistically expect from the hurler next season?

Darvish, who turned 25 in August, is seemingly in his physical prime, but he'll have to deal with a bevy of conditions in MLB that are differ substantially from what he's used to in Japan.

To start, Darvish would have to acclimate himself to the rigors of the MLB schedule. In Japan, pitchers typically make one start per week instead of one every five days, and pitchers who aren't scheduled to start on road trips usually don't travel with the team. And travel in the U.S. is much more rigorous -- the state of Texas alone is nearly twice as large (in sq. mileage) as Japan.

Then there's the baseball itself. The ball used in Japanese NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) is smaller and tackier than the MLB baseball, making it easier to grip. Switching over to MLB's larger ball could have an effect on the movement of Darvish's pitches.

And finally, there's the dreaded ballpark factor. Rangers Ballpark, known as a premium hitters' park, has swallowed up its fair share of pitchers over the past 17 years. Whether the park's jetstream -- and the stronger hitters that fill out MLB lineups -- will send Darvish's stats sky-rocketing is yet to be seen, but it's not likely to help.

“If he signs with Texas, playing in that small park will not help him,” Robert Whiting, an author and expert on Japanese baseball, told Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi. “I am afraid if Darvish goes to a hitter’s park, his game may suffer. Chan Ho Park was an ace at Dodger Stadium, not so good in Texas.”

There's no denying Darvish's upside -- his repertoire is deep and impressive, and he looks to have the frame to withstand the rigors of a big-league season -- but there's almost certainly going to be a learning curve when it comes to adjusting to life in MLB. Even if Darvish fulfills his ace potential, it likely won't happen instantaneously.

Assuming the Rangers sign Yu Darvish, what do you expect from him next year? Vote in our poll below to let us know.

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